Searching...
Flashcards in this deck (73)
  • Bioenergetics is the study of energy flow and transformations in biological systems.

    bioenergetics energy
  • Biological systems cannot extract usable energy from heat diffusion because cellular temperature is higher than the surroundings.

    bioenergetics energy
  • Living organisms extract energy by chemical transformations (oxidation–reduction reactions).

    bioenergetics energy
  • The flow of energy determines whether molecular transformations occur and to what extent.

    bioenergetics energy
  • Chemotrophs obtain energy by oxidizing organic molecules.

    chemotrophs
  • Humans are chemotrophs.

    humans chemotrophs
  • Phototrophs convert radiant solar energy into chemical energy.

    phototrophs
  • In humans, energy-containing nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

    nutrition energy
  • Catabolism is oxidative and produces ATP, NADH, NADPH, and FADH₂.

    catabolism energy
  • Anabolism is reductive and consumes ATP.

    anabolism energy
  • Final products of catabolism include CO₂, H₂O, and NH₃.

    catabolism
  • ATP links catabolism to anabolism by serving as the cell’s energy currency.

    atp energy
  • Enthalpy (ΔH) represents heat content.

    thermodynamics enthalpy
  • Entropy (ΔS) measures randomness or disorder.

    thermodynamics entropy
  • Free energy (ΔG) represents energy available to do work.

    thermodynamics free_energy
  • Only free energy can be used to perform biological work.

    thermodynamics free_energy
  • The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy is conserved.

    thermodynamics laws
  • Energy can be transformed but not created or destroyed.

    thermodynamics laws
  • The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that systems tend toward increased entropy.

    thermodynamics laws
  • Spontaneous processes proceed toward greater disorder.

    thermodynamics spontaneity
  • For spontaneity: ΔS(system) + ΔS(surroundings) > 0.

    thermodynamics spontaneity
  • The Gibbs–Helmholtz equation is: ΔG = ΔH − TΔS.

    thermodynamics gibbs_free_energy
  • ΔG integrates enthalpy and entropy into one criterion.

    thermodynamics gibbs_free_energy
  • ΔG predicts spontaneity and work potential.

    thermodynamics gibbs_free_energy
  • If ΔG = 0, the system is at equilibrium.

    thermodynamics equilibrium
  • If ΔG < 0, the reaction is spontaneous (exergonic).

    thermodynamics reaction
  • If ΔG > 0, the reaction is nonspontaneous (endergonic).

    thermodynamics reaction
  • Spontaneity is determined by ΔG, NOT ΔG°.

    thermodynamics spontaneity
  • ΔG° is measured at 25°C, 1 atm, 1 M concentrations.

    thermodynamics standard_conditions
  • ΔG°′ (biological standard) assumes: constant pH (~7.0)

    thermodynamics standard_conditions
  • constant water concentration} is another assumption of ΔG°′.

    thermodynamics standard_conditions
  • In biological systems, ΔG°′ is often treated as equivalent to ΔG.

    thermodynamics gibbs_free_energy
  • The relationship between free energy and equilibrium is: ΔG = ΔG°′ + RT ln Q.

    thermodynamics equilibrium
  • At equilibrium: ΔG = 0 and Q = Keq.

    thermodynamics equilibrium
  • If products > reactants, lnQ is positive.

    thermodynamics reaction
  • If reactants > products, lnQ is negative.

    thermodynamics reaction
  • Free energy changes are additive, and total ΔG of a pathway equals the sum of individual ΔG values.

    thermodynamics additive_nature
  • A pathway is spontaneous if overall ΔG is negative.

    thermodynamics spontaneity
  • Most metabolic pathways contain few highly exergonic steps that drive the pathway.

    metabolism energy
  • Glycolysis contains 10 enzymatic steps.

    glycolysis
  • Strongly exergonic steps in glycolysis include: Hexokinase, Phosphofructokinase-1, Pyruvate kinase.

    glycolysis energy
  • Overall ΔG°′ for glycolysis is approximately −21 kcal/mol.

    glycolysis energy
  • ATP consists of adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.

    atp structure
  • High-energy bonds exist between β–γ and α–β phosphates.

    atp energy
  • ATP hydrolysis releases approximately −7.3 kcal/mol.

    atp energy
  • P is a high-energy compound because of electrostatic repulsion and resonance stabilization.

    bioenergetics atp
  • ATP is rapidly turned over, not stored.

    bioenergetics atp metabolism
  • ATP half-life in resting adults is ~1 minute.

    bioenergetics atp metabolism
  • ATP is consumed by biosynthesis, muscle contraction, active transport, and thermogenesis.

    bioenergetics atp functions
  • Compounds with ΔG°′ more negative than ATP can phosphorylate ADP.

    bioenergetics high-energy_compounds
  • Examples of high-energy phosphate compounds include Phosphoenolpyruvate (−14.8 kcal/mol) and Creatine phosphate (−10.3 kcal/mol).

    bioenergetics high-energy_compounds
  • ATP’s intermediate ΔG allows it to both donate and accept phosphate groups.

    bioenergetics high-energy_compounds
  • Substrate-level phosphorylation involves direct transfer of phosphate from organic intermediates.

    bioenergetics atp_synthesis
  • Substrate-level phosphorylation occurs in glycolysis and TCA cycle and accounts for <10% of total ATP.

    bioenergetics atp_synthesis
  • Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in mitochondria and produces >90% of ATP.

    bioenergetics atp_synthesis
  • Oxidative phosphorylation requires oxygen as the final electron acceptor.

    bioenergetics atp_synthesis
  • During electron transport, electrons flow from NADH and FADH₂ to O₂.

    bioenergetics electron_transport
  • Oxygen has the highest reduction potential.

    bioenergetics electron_transport
  • Electron flow drives proton pumping across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton gradient known as the proton motive force.

    bioenergetics electron_transport
  • The chemiosmotic hypothesis proposed by Peter Mitchell states that proton gradient energy drives ATP synthase.

    bioenergetics chemiosmotic_hypothesis
  • Protons re-enter the matrix via F₀F₁ ATP synthase, and ATP synthesis is coupled to proton flow.

    bioenergetics atp_synthesis
  • ATP exits mitochondria via ATP–ADP translocase while ADP enters in exchange for ATP.

    bioenergetics atp_transport
  • This transport maintains continuous ATP synthesis.

    bioenergetics atp_transport
  • The redox free energy equation is given by ΔG°′ = −nFΔE°′ where n is the number of electrons transferred and F (Faraday constant) ≈ 23 kcal/mol·V.

    bioenergetics redox_reactions
  • Positive ΔE°′ results in negative ΔG°′.

    bioenergetics redox_reactions
  • Reduction potential measures the tendency to accept electrons.

    bioenergetics reduction_potentials
  • Oxygen has the highest E°′ and electrons flow from low E°′ to high E°′.

    bioenergetics reduction_potentials
  • Coupled reactions link an endergonic reaction to an exergonic reaction requiring a shared intermediate.

    bioenergetics coupled_reactions
  • Total ΔG must be negative for the process to proceed.

    bioenergetics coupled_reactions
  • Example: Malate → Oxaloacetate (ΔG°′ +7) coupled to Oxaloacetate → Citrate (ΔG°′ −9) results in net ΔG°′ negative.

    bioenergetics coupled_reactions
  • Metabolic pathways are overall spontaneous, even if individual steps may be nonspontaneous.

    bioenergetics metabolism
  • Directionality in metabolic pathways is determined by ΔG, not ΔG°′ alone.

    bioenergetics metabolism
  • ATP couples energy-producing and energy-requiring reactions.

    bioenergetics atp
Study Notes

Bioenergetics & Thermodynamics Overview

Bioenergetics & Thermodynamics Overview

  • Bioenergetics studies energy flow and transformations in biological systems.
  • Organisms cannot utilize energy from heat diffusion due to their higher cellular temperatures.
  • Energy extraction occurs via chemical transformations, primarily through oxidation-reduction reactions.
  • Energy flow influences the extent of molecular transformations.

Chemotrophs vs Phototrophs

Chemotrophs vs Phototrophs

  • Chemotrophs (e.g. humans) gain energy by oxidizing organic molecules.
  • Phototrophs convert solar energy into chemical energy.
  • Energy-rich nutrients include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Catabolism vs Anabolism

Catabolism vs Anabolism

  • Catabolism is oxidative; it produces ATP, NADH, NADPH, and FADH₂.
  • Anabolism is reductive and consumes ATP.
  • Byproducts of catabolism include CO₂, H₂O, and NH₃.
  • ATP connects catabolic and anabolic processes as the energy currency.

Thermodynamic State Functions

Thermodynamic State Functions

  • Enthalpy (ΔH) indicates heat content.
  • Entropy (ΔS) reflects randomness or disorder.
  • Free energy (ΔG) denotes energy available for work, with only ΔG performing biological work.

Laws of Thermodynamics

Laws of Thermodynamics

  • First Law: Energy is conserved; it can be transformed but not created or destroyed.
  • Second Law: Systems tend toward increased entropy; spontaneous processes lead to greater disorder.
  • For spontaneity: ΔS(system) + ΔS(surroundings) > 0.

Gibbs Free Energy Equation

Gibbs Free Energy Equation

  • The Gibbs–Helmholtz equation: \(\(ΔG = ΔH - TΔS\)\).
  • ΔG integrates enthalpy and entropy to predict spontaneity and work potential.

Interpreting ΔG

Interpreting ΔG

  • If ΔG = 0, the system is at equilibrium.
  • If ΔG < 0, the reaction is spontaneous (exergonic).
  • If ΔG > 0, the reaction is nonspontaneous (endergonic).

Standard Conditions & ΔG°′

Standard Conditions & ΔG°′

  • ΔG° is measured at 25°C, 1 atm, 1 M concentrations.
  • ΔG°′ assumes a constant pH (~7.0) and water concentration.
  • In biological systems, ΔG°′ is often treated as equivalent to ΔG.

ΔG, ΔG°′, and Equilibrium

ΔG, ΔG°′, and Equilibrium

  • The relationship: \(\(ΔG = ΔG°′ + RT ln Q\)\).
  • At equilibrium: \(\(ΔG = 0\)\) and \(\(Q = K_{eq}\)\).

Additive Nature of ΔG

Additive Nature of ΔG

  • Free energy changes are cumulative.
  • Overall ΔG of a pathway equals the sum of individual ΔG values.
  • A pathway is spontaneous if the overall ΔG is negative.

Glycolysis as a Bioenergetic Example

Glycolysis as a Bioenergetic Example

  • Glycolysis consists of 10 enzymatic steps.
  • Key exergonic steps: Hexokinase, Phosphofructokinase-1, Pyruvate kinase.
  • Overall ΔG°′ for glycolysis is approximately -21 kcal/mol.

ATP Structure & Properties

ATP Structure & Properties

  • ATP contains adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups.
  • High-energy bonds exist between β–γ and α–β phosphates, releasing about -7.3 kcal/mol.
  • ATP is considered a high-energy compound due to electrostatic repulsion and resonance stabilization.

ATP Turnover

ATP Turnover

  • ATP is rapidly synthesized, not stored.
  • In resting adults, ATP half-life is ~1 minute.
  • ATP is consumed for biosynthesis, muscle contraction, active transport, and thermogenesis.

High-Energy Phosphate Compounds

High-Energy Phosphate Compounds

  • Compounds with ΔG°′ more negative than ATP can phosphorylate ADP, including Phosphoenolpyruvate (-14.8 kcal/mol) and Creatine phosphate (-10.3 kcal/mol).

ATP Synthesis Mechanisms

ATP Synthesis Mechanisms

  • Substrate-Level Phosphorylation: Direct phosphate transfer, mainly in glycolysis and TCA cycle (accounts for <10% of ATP).
  • Oxidative Phosphorylation: Occurs in mitochondria, produces >90% of ATP, requires oxygen.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

  • Electrons flow from NADH and FADH₂ to O₂, which has the highest reduction potential.
  • This flow drives proton pumping across the inner mitochondrial membrane, creating a proton motive force.

Chemiosmotic Hypothesis

Chemiosmotic Hypothesis

  • Proposed by Peter Mitchell, it suggests that the proton gradient energy drives ATP synthase, with protons re-entering the matrix through F₀F₁ ATP synthase.

ATP Transport

ATP Transport

  • ATP exits mitochondria via ATP–ADP translocase, while ADP enters in exchange, ensuring continuous ATP synthesis.

Redox Reactions & Free Energy

Redox Reactions & Free Energy

  • Redox free energy equation: \(\(ΔG°′ = -nFΔE°′\)\).
  • Where n = number of electrons transferred, and F (Faraday constant) ≈ 23 kcal/mol·V.
  • Positive ΔE°′ corresponds to negative ΔG°′.

Reduction Potentials

Reduction Potentials

  • Reduction potential indicates the tendency to accept electrons; oxygen shows the highest E°′.
  • Electron flow occurs from low E°′ to high E°′.

Coupled Reactions

Coupled Reactions

  • These link an endergonic reaction to an exergonic reaction through a shared intermediate.
  • The total ΔG must be negative for the overall process to proceed.

Final High-Yield Principles

Final High-Yield Principles

  • Metabolic pathways are overall spontaneous, with individual steps being potentially nonspontaneous.
  • Directionality of reactions is determined by ΔG, not ΔG°′ alone.
  • ATP couples energy-producing and energy-requiring reactions.